Caller: " Color Guard, dismissed."
Color Guard returns to their place in the assembly.

Caller: " Girl Scouts, dismissed."

Outdoor Flag Ceremony:

1. Practice raising the flag several times before doing this in front of a group.

2. When fastening the flag to a flagpole, be sure all clips on the rope ar down and ready to be used. Guards take their places, standing some distance from the pole, holding properly folded flags, while others take their places in horseshoe formation.

3. Following the same commands given for an indoor ceremony, the color bearer carries a folded American flag, hands it to the color guard, and loosens the rope.

4. She then attaches the top of the flag to the first clip, and begins unfolding the flag until the second corner is free. She attaches the second corner.

5. As the flag is raised, it should be unfolded. The flag is then raised briskly.

6. The rope is secured and the guard steps back into place. The saluting of the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance occur here.

7. To retire the colors, the same commands are given. The color bearer unties the rope and lowers the flag smoothly and slowly. The guard in back and to her left steps forward and catches the flag as it is lowered so it will not touch the ground. She passes it back to the other three guards, with blue field toward the flagpole.

8. The bearer unhooks the flag, fastens the rope to the pole, and steps back into place at attention. The other guards fold the flag properly into a triangle. During this entire procedure, Girl Scouts in the formation give the full salute as soon as the color bearer begins to lower the flag and hold it until the hooks have been removed from the flag.

9. After the flag is folded, the guard hands it to the bearer, who holds it with the point away from her. The Girl Scout caller says "Color guard, dismissed," then "Girl Scouts, dismissed."

The display of our American Flag is governed by law to ensure that it will be treated with the respect due the flag of a great nation. This is known as the Flag Code. Some of the rules most useful for Girl Scouts are:

The American Flag should be placed in the center, and higher, when displayed with a group of state, local, or organizational flags flown from staffs. It may also be positioned to the right of other flags (if you were to hold the flag while facing your audience, your right side would be the flag's own right). "When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker or to the right of the audience."

Girl Scouts should use the civilian salute both in and out of uniform.

Girl Scouts can have flag ceremonies in various events: investiture, rededication, fly-up, Court of Awards, Girl Scout special day ceremonies, open or closing troop meetings or camp and at a community ceremony or celebration.